Donald Trump’s unprecedented phone call with the president of Taiwan last week was the culmination of a lengthy lobbying effort by former Sen. Bob Dole (R-KS) to help Taiwanese officials gain access to Trump and his advisers.
Documents filed with the Justice Department and reviewed by the New York Times show that Dole spent several months lobbying Trump officials for the Taiwanese government and arranging meetings.
His efforts with the firm Alston & Bird led to the call between Trump and the president of Taiwan that prompted a warning from China. The disclosure documents were submitted about a week ago, before the phone call, and Dole later confirmed that he played a role in setting up the call.
“It’s fair to say that we had some influence,” Dole told the New York Times on Tuesday. “When you represent a client and they make requests, you’re supposed to respond.”
Documents show that Dole also set up meetings between Trump’s advisers and representatives from Taiwan, according to the Times.
“They’re very optimistic,” he told the Times, referencing Taiwanese officials. “They see a new president, a Republican, and they’d like to develop a closer relationship.”
Dole was paid $140,000 between May and October for his lobbying efforts and made contact with the Trump campaign before the election. He asked Trump aides to help a Taiwanese delegation attend the Republican National Convention, and Dole played a role in changing the Republican platform regarding policy toward China and Taiwan, per the Times.
The former senator set up a meeting between Taiwanese officials and Sen. Jeff Session (R-AL), now Trump’s pick to lead the Justice Department, and he is currently trying to arrange a meeting with Reince Priebus, possibly for after the inauguration, the Times reported.
And all day long today on Faux News KKKomment boards here is what you will still see: “But SHE called HIM!!!” as if it was all spontaneous and out of the blue…you know, like Trump’s first deliberately planned talking point lie about it.
Also, fuck Bob Dole to death.
This speaks to two issues: 1) This nation’s lobbying laws are in dire need of fixing; and 2) I knew Bob Dole was a bad dude, but I didn’t realize just how much he hates America.
If you get Trump’s ear you can have anything you want. All that’s needed once he’s listening is to slather on generous helpings of fawning praise, congratulations, compliments and noting his extreme brilliance and success. Fifteen minutes spent with the Iranian delegation and they’d have walked away with TWO planeloads full of money.
He’ll give you the pills to help with that task.
Er, let’s not, especially since it looks like he expired awhile ago and clearly has been Weekend as Bernie’s’d. Seriously, Donovan in The Last Crusade didn’t age nearly as badly
I think what really gets me is how little the amount was. $140,000? That’s peanuts. What the hell is going on that he has to beg for such a pittance? He’s not even getting the full amount either as he has to split it with his firm.